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Hello Friend, Thanks to you, we are moving to Alert Level 2. From Thursday, retail stores, shopping malls, hairdressers, cafes, cinemas, and other establishments can reopen. This is a testimony to the success we have had as a nation in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. Schools and early learning centres will be able to reopen on Monday, 18th of May. While bars, which are of higher risk, can resume operations next Thursday, the 21st. This means that in less than ten days, most businesses will be able to resume trading --- which will be welcome news for many business owners and their employees. The past six weeks took a heavy financial toll on them. Reopening our economy under Alert Level 2 means these businesses can begin to rebuild. Much like our duty under Alert Levels 3 & 4 was to stay in our bubbles, our priority under Alert Level 2 should be to support our local businesses. Every New Zealander has a part to play in the economic recovery of our country. We should shop local and buy New Zealand made wherever we can. New Zealand First welcomes the announcement. We recognise that many businesses and their workers are struggling, and we thank them for the sacrifices they made during the last 6 weeks. The Rt Hon Winston Peters says: "Now is the time for us to support those businesses and those workers in the economic battle ahead." "We encourage every New Zealander to support New Zealand businesses and buy local. After all, 95 percent of New Zealand employers are small to medium businesses," the NZ First leader added.
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New Zealand First welcomes Alert Level 2 announcement
New Zealand First welcomes the decision to go to Alert Level 2 from midnight Wednesday, says Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters. Alert Level 2 will mean a return to work for the vast majority of New Zealand’s businesses. A return to a level of normalcy also allows the country to have restored from Thursday far greater personal freedoms than under previous Alert Level settings. “For the millions of New Zealanders who stayed at home under Alert Levels 3 and 4, at great personal sacrifice, this announcement will come as great relief." "Their sacrifice has ensured we can move with confidence into Alert Level 2, rather than a nonsensical, half-baked Level 2.5 as suggested by the National Party” Mr Peters added. READ MORE: New Zealand First welcomes today’s Alert Level 2 announcement
What’s newPay increases for lowest paid teachers
Budget 2020 provides a $151.1 million funding boost over four years for early learning services to improve the pay of up to 17,000 qualified teachers working in education and care services. The minimum salary for teachers working in early childhood education centres is currently $45,491 or $46,832, depending on the qualifications held by the teacher. On 1 July 2020, the minimum salary will increase to $49,862 – bringing them in line with kindergarten teachers’ pay. “The increase in funding rates from July 2020 will help support more than 400 playcentres so they can continue to provide this unique early learning choice to around 9,500 children and their families,” Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin said. READ MORE: Pay increases for lowest paid teachers
More regions to receive digital hubs through the Provincial Growth Fund
New Zealand’s regions will be better connected through five new digital hubs being funded through the Provincial Growth Fund, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. “The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting Alert Level 4 lockdown has shown that good internet connectivity is crucial. While we were staying in our bubbles at home, a great many of us used the internet to work, shop, pay bills, keep in touch with loved ones, and learn." “It is something many of us take for granted, yet some communities have limited ability to access the internet or the tools to use it for financial reasons or because of their location,” Minister Jones said. READ MORE: More regions to receive digital hubs
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters' Statement on the 75th anniversary of VE Day
Leader of New Zealand First, Rt Hon Winston Peters said: “Today is the 75th anniversary of VE Day – marking the end of World War II in Europe." READ MORE: 75th Anniversary of VE Day.
New Zealand and Australia Enhance Defence Cooperation in the fight against COVID-19
Australia and New Zealand have agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 on both sides of the Tasman and in our Pacific neighbourhood. On 7 May 2020, Defence Minister Hon Ron Mark, held a joint teleconference with Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, Australian Minister of Defence, and the Hon Melissa Price, Minister for Defence Industry, to discuss responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. “New Zealand has no better friend than Australia. Our co-operation on supporting our defence industries and our shared experience in emergency response are important components to our strong relationship,” Minister Mark said. READ MORE: New Zealand and Australia Enhance Defence Cooperation
Provincial Growth Fund backs wildlife sanctuary upgrade
The Provincial Growth Fund has invested $2.5 million to expand and develop the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in the lower North Island, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. “Pūkaha has cemented itself as a successful wildlife centre and captive breeding facility, with almost 1000ha of native forest which has been returned to Rangitāne o Tararua and Rangitāne o Wairarapa. Iwi intend to gift the land to New Zealanders so it is important we invest in protecting and upgrading this incredible asset,” the Minister said. READ MORE: PGF backs wildlife sanctuary upgrade
Provincial Growth Fund funding to improve Māori land
The Provincial Growth Fund is providing more than $1.5 million to two Whenua Māori farming operations in Northland so under-utilised land can be restored to higher productivity and profitability, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. “The funding will allow necessary restoration and remedial work to increase the farm’s productivity to lead to better quality cattle. This will lead to greater returns for its 365 shareholders, for whom it can make a real difference,” the Minister said. “This funding will help recipients increase productivity on their land and return a greater profit to its iwi shareholders. It will get money circulating in their local communities and help Māori achieve greater levels of prosperity," he added. READ MORE: PGF funding to improve Māori land
In the HouseWe update you on developments on New Zealand First members' bills in the House.
An amendment to the ‘Protection of First Responders Bill’ is being tabled which will see emergency department healthcare workers included in the legislation. “During this COVID-19 crisis we have seen reports of violence and specifically increased incidents of spitting towards our emergency healthcare workers. Incidents of violence and assaults are common and have been building over the past few years, says New Zealand First Law and Order Spokesman Darroch Ball. The ‘Protection for First Responders Bill’ will see a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months for those who intentionally injure our emergency workers. READ MORE: Nurses to get more protection, added to 'First Responders' legislation
NZ First Members' Bills drawn from the ballot:Mark Patterson MP - New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Fair Residency) Amendment Bill Darroch Ball MP - Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers Bill Darroch Ball MP - Oranga Tamariki (Youth Justice Demerit Points) Amendment Bill
Have your sayNew Zealand First is committed to listening to voters. Answer our surveys and let us know where you stand on these pressing issues.
The Rt Hon Winston Peters has said that New Zealand should not become "some sort of a knock shop for overseas buying" in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. Do you agree? YES or NO? LET US KNOW: https://www.nzfirst.org.nz/protecting_kiwi_companies_survey
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